Black Tetra Questions

[jmw141]

I just recently bought a Black Tetra and introduced him to his tank. He swam for about an hour then when I came back to my dorm room he was just floating in the corner not really doing anything. He will swim occasionally but I'm afraid he's sick already! I read online Black Tetras can just be shy until they get used to their conditions. Does he need a friend?
Thanks,
James

 

[SkiFletch]

Did you put him into an allready established tank or is it a new fish in a new tank?

Do you have any way to measure water chemicals (pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates) and if so could you post those here?

When you say floating in the corner does he float upright, on his side, all teh way to the surface or something else that looks distressing?

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. My black neon tetras just hang out sometimes in a corner, or in the current staying in one place. They move around a bit, but aren't very active in general. If he is upright, and not gasping for air at the top of the tank, give him a couple of days. He is probably ok.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

tetras are schooling fish and need to be in a shoal of their own species to feel safe and secure. he might be shy and not particularly active because he doesnt feel safe.
how big is your tank?

 

[jmw141]

The tank is already established. He is floating upright in the normal fashion but isn't really moving around much. The tank size is 1 Gallon. I would have gotten bigger but I am in a dorm room so I cant, but when I go home for chirstmas break a much bigger tank is on the way. I do not currently have any way to measure the Ph, ammonia, etc. levels in the tank.

 

[SkiFletch]

how long and with what has it been established with?

 

[rdd1952]

Since you only have a 1 gallon tank, you need to return the tetra and get a betta. Bettas are really the only fish suitable for a tank that small (they really need at least 2 gallon IMO but that is a matter of personal opinion). A single tetra will not do very well in there since they are schooling fish and need at least 3 to be comfortable. Otherwise he will stay hid all the time.

 

[Durbkat]

Yeah and they need a heater. Why didn't you ask your lps person what black tetras required before you bought him? You know you should never buy a fish on impulse because like in your cause you ended up getting a fish that needs a tank size of at least 10 gallons and he needs a filter and heater and they need to be in a group of six or more. So defintly return him and like rdd said get a betta. Sorry if that seemed alittle harsh but just don't like it when people don't do their research before they buy a new fish they never kept before.

 

[jmw141]

Yeah and they need a heater. Why didn't you ask your lps person what black tetras required before you bought him? You know you should never buy a fish on impulse because like in your cause you ended up getting a fish that needs a tank size of at least 10 gallons and he needs a filter and heater and they need to be in a group of six or more. So defintly return him and like rdd said get a betta. Sorry if that seemed alittle harsh but just don't like it when people don't do their research before they buy a new fish they never kept before.

I'm sure everyone does research before they buy huh? Probably not. I'm not a fish abuser so get down off your high horse, you're 14 years old and definately NOT an expert in Ichthyology.

edited for content*

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'm sure everyone does research before they buy huh? Probably not. I'm not a fish abuser so get down off your high horse, you're 14 years old and definately NOT an expert in Ichthyology.

Oh dear, somebody's cranky. As it seems, you are not an ichthologist either Just someone who can't take being wrong, by the sound of it. And I didn't know being 14 makes you automaticly an idiot Although I must be an idiot too since I'm 14 so that's OK Theres not much positive advice to give, just because 1g is all you can house, doesn't mean its OK to put anything you like in there because a 'bigger tank is on the way'. If you can't provide an adequate environment, then don't buy. As said already, take both tank and fish back to where you got it from, and if it makes you feel any better, shout at the person who sold it to you for being an idiot. Then go and do some research.

 

[mike_danger]

What an idiot!

I'm suprised you got into uni, but they do have qoutas to fill. I imagine your doing a course like media studies!

Do the fish a favour, and don't buy anymore!

 

[wuvmybetta]

JMW~ you've been given some very valuable advice and I hope you take it. By the way; an established tank is a tank that has been up and running, with fish, for 6 months to a year.